PR has moved to block the rollout of the AES camera network in the states governed by the pact. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 ― A PAS lawmaker today urged road users not to pay off traffic summonses issued under the federal government’s controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES), saying that they should claim trial to the offences instead.

“Now I want to ask, if the government refuses to delay the implementation of the AES and withdraw all summonses issued, everyone who receives the AES summonses don’t need to pay the RM300 compound, instead follow this instruction to go to court...” PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said at a press conference today.He said that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was prepared to provide lawyers to represent those who chose to contest the summonses in court.Yesterday, PR said it would suspend approval for the AES’s implementation in the four states of Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan, to allow for further discussion and public feedback.Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng yesterday said that PR’s move would mean that 331 out of the planned 831 cameras under the nationwide AES scheme will not be installed.The AES cameras, which detects speeding motorists and those who beat traffic lights, is in its pilot phase, with 14 installed in Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya.Today, Umno MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin also crossed the political divide today and backed the opposition PR pact in calling for Putrajaya to suspend enforcing the controversial traffic system, saying it could be used as electoral fodder against the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).Several influential non-government organisations including the umbrella body representing civil servants, CUEPACS, have also opposed the enforcement by saying the system is not currently suitable. They also want the government to review the locations where the AES would operate.However, Bung Mokhtar was reported to have said that the system was necessary to “discipline” road users for the good of all.

Lawmakers previously argued that the AES would only benefit the two companies running the system ― Beta Tegap and ATES ― as the firms will allegedly stand to earn RM16 from each summons issued by the AES.Source From : The Malaysian Insider